“Okay, I’ll try.”
“So . . . tell me exactly what happened yesterday,” Edison asked, his words barbed with intensity. “The truth, Summer. Nothing but.”
Summer cleared her throat, waiting for a groundswell of courage to find her before she spoke. “Well, first the Scabs cornered me, then Frost’s men came along and killed them just in the nick of time. We talked for a bit, then they let me go. A little later, more of Frost’s men cornered me, but I got away on my own this time. At least until I ran into those damn pallets. That’s when I cut my cheek. I got up and ran inside the nearest building before they caught up to me. Then the floor collapsed when they started yanking on the door to get in. I think I was knocked out for a while when I hit the bottom. When I woke up, it was dark outside and they were gone.”
Edison nodded, taking time before he responded. “Let me make sure I have this straight. Frost’s men saved you from the Scabs? For no particular reason?”
“Yes, Professor. They showed up out of nowhere, just in time to kill the Scabs. Blood was everywhere. I was so scared. I just wanted to go home.”
“And then they let you go, only to corner you again?”
“Well, Fletcher did. Let me go, I mean. In fact, he offered me a gun so I could stay safe. The others wanted to sell me for ammo or something. It was intense. But Fletcher wasn’t around the second time, when I ran into them.”
“Where was this? Our side or theirs?”
“Which time?”
“Both.”
Her heart skipped a beat, knowing another lie was coming. Well, sort of. She decided to answer his question about the first encounter, then it wasn’t a flat-out lie. “Ours.”
“That means Frost’s men broke the treaty.”
“Yep. But for a good reason, I think. They must have been tracking the hunger gang. That’s why they showed up when they did. Lucky for me. Otherwise, the Scabs were going to kill me. I wouldn’t be too mad at them, Professor. They saved my life. Sometimes, you have to make exceptions, right? Isn’t that what you always say?”
Edison’s eyes glanced to the side and down, at his wife’s picture, then came back again. “Why didn’t you report this the second you got back?”
“I was going to, but first I needed to get stitched up by Liz. Then Krista arrested me and threw me in jail. What else could I do? It all happened so fast. Plus, I was totally exhausted. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“You tell someone. That’s what you do. It’s not a hard concept, Summer. These secrets of yours can’t continue.”
Summer thought of her lost Seeker Map and the store she loved to visit, Infinite Reads, wondering if she should tell him about both. Her can of secrets was so full it was bursting at the seams.
Yet, if she did, she worried she might not be able to stop, feeling the need to tell Edison everything. Then he’d hate her for sure. “I know, Professor. I’m soooo sorry. I really am.”
“If there’s anything else I should know, now’s the time, Summer. Right now, this very instant.”
“Well, uh . . .” she said, stuttering to buy time for her mind to make a decision. It took another thirty seconds to find her nerve. “Well, there is something.”
She touched a finger to the bandage on her forehead. “This didn’t happen exactly the way I told you.”
“So, another lie,” Edison said with a twisted scowl, looking as though he was about to swallow his face. “It just never ends with you, does it?”
So much for him not judging her. “I’m sorry, but things get complicated.”
“How am I supposed to believe anything you say?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes the truth just sucks, so I avoid it. I’m not sure what else to say. I’m not all perfect like you, Professor.”
“Trust me, I’m not perfect. Far from it.”
“You are to me. You always seem to know exactly what to say or what to do, way ahead of everyone else. Like when you built this place. It’s like you can see the future or something. Otherwise, we’d all be dead.”
Edison smirked, looking embarrassed. “Sometimes people make moves and just get lucky, Summer. Or they get advice from a friend. Either way, it’s never about seeing the future. It’s about trust, knowledge, and playing the odds.”
“Well, just so you know, Wicks did slap me in the hall, then felt me up just like I said. Plus, he shoved me into the cell and I did fall head-first at the cot. But I didn’t cut my head open right then.”
“How then?”
“On the front bars.”
“Did he do it?”
“No, I did it to myself. On purpose like.”
“Why on Earth would you do that?”
“To get him into trouble. I needed everyone to believe me about the other stuff he did and I thought if I was bleeding, you would. You and Liz, I mean. I was already in jail, plus nobody was around but Krista when Wicks slapped me and wanted to punch my face in. She never takes my side in anything, so I had to do something to make sure. Plus, Wicks and I were alone when he touched me like a total pervert. I know what I did was wrong, but I panicked. Please don’t be mad at me. Please.”
Edison shook his head, his eyes dropping to his desk. They were aimed in the direction of June’s photo again. He looked as lost as Summer felt, possibly looking for his wife’s guidance.
Summer couldn’t keep her lips silent. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth. I was so scared, I just reacted. It was dumb, I know.”
“And wrong.”
“Yes, and wrong.”
“You should know by now that we would have believed you either way.”
Summer nodded, unable to find the words to answer him. Nothing sounded right in her head.
Edison exhaled, taking a long time to let the air out, as if he was deciding what to do with her. “I hope you know I had that man arrested based on your claims. A man who now faces serious charges. This isn’t a game, Summer.”
“No, it’s not, but he deserved it for the other stuff he did. He can’t go around hitting and feeling up girls whenever he wants. That’s not right.”
“Except now you’re not a credible victim. There’s no telling how The Council will react once they learn about you hurting yourself and then lying about it. We both know how Krista is going to vote.”
“Do you really have to tell them? Maybe it can just be our little secret.”
“Of course I have to tell them. The truth is paramount around here.”
Summer put her head in her hands. She’d messed up big time. He must certainly hate her by now.
Edison’s tone sharpened when he said, “By the way, there was a Council Meeting while you were out.”
Summer looked up, releasing her hands from her face. “I heard. Liz told me.”
“Krista wants you banished.”
“So what else is new? She always wants me banished.” Summer said, letting a beat pass before she continued. “I take it The Council said no.”
“Correct. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
That’s one piece of good luck at least, she thought to herself.
“The vote was damn close, though. You know I can’t keep protecting you like this. I’m so disappointed in you, Summer. It breaks my heart. It really does.”
She started to weep, unable to hold back the tears. “I’m sorry. I try really hard, but sometimes bad luck just happens.”
“It’s not about luck. It’s about growing up and taking responsibility for your actions. This is Nirvana, not Summer’s Vacation where she can do whatever she wants whenever she wants. It’s time for the old Summer to end and a new one to take her place. No more lies. None. Do you hear me?”
She nodded with her head hanging low, the tears filling her cheeks. “Please, don’t be mad at me. I can’t deal with that. You’re my only friend.”